Heavy duty reel



y 3, 1955 H. J. EHRET 2,707,596

HEAVY DUTY REEL Filed March 19, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 42 an 7Z\8a Fig. 5

I A V 26 34 ae/25m. 30 m 32 BY w -m May 3, 1955 H. J. EHRET HEAVY DUTY REEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1954 Fig. 6

Harry J E href INVENTOR.

3 BY M United States Patent HEAVY DUTY REEL Harry J. Ehret, Canton, Ohio Application March 19, 1954, Serial No. 417,249

7 Claims. (Cl. 242-72) This invention relates generally to reel mechanisms and pertains more particularly to a reel assembly particularly adapted for coiling sheets of metal thereon.

A primary object of this invention is to provide an improved reel assembly adapted to receive and wind sheet metal thereon in the form of coils, the reel being so constructed that by movement of its interrelated parts the over-all diameter of the reel will be reduced to permit removal of the metal coils therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide an assembly in conformity with the foregoing object wherein an outboard bearing is provided for the free end of the reel assembly, the bearing being movable into and out of engagement therewith such as to permit the removal of the sheet metal coiled therefrom.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the improved reel assembly;

Figure 2 is an end view of the assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along the plane of section line 3-3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged end view of the reel assembly;

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section taken through the reel assembly;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the plane of section line 6-6 in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is another longitudinal section taken substantially along the plane of section line 7-7 in Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a horizontal longitudinal section taken substantially along the plane of section line 8-8 in Figure 5.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 10 indicates the combined support and housing member generally, which is rigidly secured to the floor or other base 12 and which houses a series of gear members driven by any suitable mechanism (not shown) such as an electric motor which is under the control of the operator. A quill shaft 14 is journalled in the opposite side Walls of the housing 10 and extends from one side thereof and presents at its outer end an enlarged block member 16 which will hereinafter be referred to as the first block member.

As will be seen most clearly in Figure 5, the first block member 16 is formed with opposite planar side surfaces 18 and 20 which are, as will be seen in Figure 8, inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the quill shaft 14 such as to be mutually divergent in a direction toward the support 10. The first block is also provided with a planar side surface 22 extending between the side surfaces 18 and 20 and, as a study of Figure 6 will show, this side surface is also inclined with respect to the lonice gitudinal axis of the quill shaft 14 but is convergent therewith in a direction toward the support 10.

The fourth side 24 of the first block member is arcuate in cross section, the longitudinal axis of the quill shaft 14 being the center thereof.

On opposite sides of the first block member are a pair of block members 26 and 28 which have surfaces 30 and 32 respectively, mating with the surfaces 18 and 20 of the first block member and each of the block members 26 and 28 is provided with a rail extension 30 which engages within a corresponding T-slot or similar guide groove in the first block such that the block members 26 and 28 may be guidably slid therealong.

The block members 26 and 28 each have arcuate outer surfaces 32 and 34, respectively, forming a continuation of the surface 24 of the first block member.

A fourth block member 36 has an inclined surface 38 mating with the surface 22 of the first block 16 and is also provided with a pair of side edges 40 and 42 engaging against corresponding surfaces of the pair of block members 26 and 28 and is further provided with a rail extension 44 guidably received in corresponding guide grooves in the first block member 16. The fourth block member is also provided with an arcuate surface 46 so that all the block members together form a cylindrical surface.

An actuator shaft 48 extends within the quill shaft 14 and is slidable therein and extends outwardly beyond the support 10 in the manner shown most clearly in Figure 1. A pin 50 is fixed transversely through the actuator shaft adjacent the inner end thereof and extends from opposite sides thereof to be received within aligned apertures in the pair of block members 26 and 28 such that these latter members are rigidly afiixed to the shaft for movement therewith. The first block member 16 is provided with elongated slots 52 such that the pin 50 may move freely with respect thereto.

A pair of pinion shafts 54 and 56 are journalled in the first block member 16 and are provided at their opposite ends with the pinion members 58 and 60 which are in mesh with rack teeth 62, 64 and 66, 68 formed on the fourth block member and the pair of block members, respectively. Thus, it will be readily apparent that as the actuator shaft 48 is moved to the right in Figure 6, the pin 50 will move the pair of block members 26 and 28 with the actuator shaft to assume the dotted line position shown in that figure, while at the same time the engagement between the racks on the pair of block members with the pinions carried by the first block member will effect movement of the fourth block member in the reverse direction to assume the dotted line position as shown in Figure 6. In this manner, the over-all diameter of the reel assembly is reduced or collapsed.

The first block member is provided with a recess 70 within which a latch member 72 is received, this latch member being pivotally secured to the first block member by a pivot pin 74 and normally spring urged by means of the coil spring 76 such that its pawl portion 78 is received within a corresponding groove or keyway in the actuator shaft 48 so as to prevent this member from being withdrawn from the quill shaft beyond that position shown in Figure 6. The opposite end of the latch member 72 projects within a detent in the fourth block member 36 when the parts have assumed the full line position shown.

The first block member 16 is provided with an extension 80 of reduced diameter which is coaxial with the quill shaft 14 and which forms an outboard bearing surface for the reel assembly. The bearing arm 82 is pivoted about pin 84 to a suitable standard 86 secured to the base or floor 12 and has a half bearing portion 88 integral therewith which is movable into and out of engagement with the extension 80 in the manner shown most clearly in Figure 2. The opposite end of the lever is provided with an elongated slot 90 within which a pin 92 from a hydraulic cylinder assembly 94 is operable such that when the hydraulic cylinder is raised the bearing half will be swung out of engagement with the extension dil and will clear the drum assembly such as to permit the removal of a coil of sheet metal therefrom.

For the purpose of moving the actuator shaft 48, the same may be provided with a collar )6 having an annular groove therein Within which a radial pin 96 formed on a piston rod ltlil is operable. The piston rod is part of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 102 which, when actuated, will move the actuator shaft 48 accordingly.

To understand the operation of the reel, it is necessary to realize that the pin 50 is snugly received at its opposite ends within the bores 164 and 1% in the members 26 and 28 and that an elongated slot 168 is provided in the actuator shaft 4-3 to permit the shaft to move slightly before imparting movement to the pin 50 and consequently the members 26 and 28. In this manner, upon initial movement of the actuator shaft to the right from the position shown in Figure 6, the

latch member 72 is rotated about its pivot 74 under action of the shaft on pawl member 78 so that the hook portion 110 will be withdrawn from recess 112 in member 36 permitting movement of that member as imparted thereto from the members 26 and 28 upon 0 further movement of the actuator shaft.

The latching mechanism performs an important function inasmuch as it prevents collapsing of the reel due to the weight and binding efiect of the metal coiled thereon.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes Will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A reel assembly for coiling sheet metal, comprising an upstanding support, a driven quill shaft journailed in said support and extending horizontally therefrom, a first block member formed on the outer end of said quill shaft, a pair of block members secured on opposite sides of said first block member and slidable thereon longitudinally of the quill shaft, a fourth block member slidably secured to the first block member and movable longitudinally of the quill shaft, an actuator shaft slidably disposed within said quill shaft and con- L.

nected adjacent its inner end to said pair of block members, said block members being interfitted to present a cylinder, means for moving said actuator shaft, and means responsive to movement of said actuator shaft for moving said pair of block members and said fourth block member in opposite directions longitudinally of said quill shaft whereby the diameter of said cylinder is reduced to permit the removal of a coil of sheet metal therefrom.

2. A reel assembly for coiling sheet metal, comprising an upstanding support, a driven quill shaft journalled in said support and extending horizontally therefrom, a first block member formed on the outer end of said quill shaft, a pair of block members secured on opposite sides of said first block member and slidable thereon longitudinally of the quill shaft, a fourth block member slidably secured to the first block member and movable longitudinally of the quill shaft, the mating surfaces of said pair of block members and said first block member as well as the mating surfaces of said fourth block member and the first block member being inclined with respect to the axis of said quill shaft, an actuator shaft slidably disposed within said quill shaft and connected adjacent its inner end to said pair of block members, said block members being interfitted to present a cylinder, means for moving said actuator shaft, and means responsive to movement of said actuator shaft for moving said pair of block members and said fourth block member in opposite directions longitudinally of said quill shaft whereby the diameter of said cylinder is reduced to permit the removal of a coil of sheet metal therefrom.

3. A reel assembly for coiling sheet metal, comprising an upstanding support, a driven quill shaft journalled in said support and extending horizontally therefrom, a first block member formed on the outer end of said quill shaft, a pair of block members secured on opposite sides of said first block member and slidable thereon longitudinally of the quill shaft, a fourth block member slidably secured to the first block member and movable longitudinally of the quill shaft, the mating surfaces of said pair of block members and said first block member being inclined to the quill shaft and diverging therefrom toward said support, the mating surfaces of said fourth block member and said first block member being inclined to the quill shaft and convergent therewith toward said support, an actuator shaft slidably disposed within said quill shaft and connected adjacent its inner end to said pair of block members, said block members being interfitted to present a cylinder, means for moving said actuator shaft, and means responsive to movement of said actuator shaft for moving said pair of block members and said fourth block member in opposite directions longitudinally of said quill shaft whereby the diameter of said cylinder is reduced to permit the removal of a coil of sheet metal therefrom.

4. A reel assembly for coiling sheet metal, comprising an upstanding support, a driven quill shaft journalled in said support and extending horizontally therefrom, a first block member formed on the outer end of said quill shaft, a pair of block members secured on opposite sides of said first block member and slidable thereon longitudinally of the quill shaft, a fourth block member slidably secured to the first block member and movable longitudinally of the quill shaft, an actuator shaft slidably disposed within said quill shaft ;-;and connected adjacent its inner end to said pair of block members, said block members being interfitted to present a cylinder, means for moving said actuator shaft, and means responsive to movement of said actuator shaft for moving said pair of block members and said fourth block member in opposite directions longitudinally of said quill shaft whereby the diameter of said cylinder is reduced to permit the removal of a coil of sheet metal therefrom, said last means comprising pinions journalled on said first block member and opposed racks formed on at least one of said pair of block members and said fourth block member.

5. A reel assembly for coiling sheet metal, comprising an upstanding support, a driven quill shaft journalled in said support and extending horizontally therefrom, a first block member formed on the outer end of said quill shaft, a pair of block members secured on opposite sides of said first block member and slidable thereon longitudinally of the quill shaft, a fourth block member slidably secured to the first block member and movable longitudinally of the quill shaft, the mating surfaces of said pair of block members and said first block member as well as the mating surfaces of said fourth block member and the first block member being inclined with respect to the axis of said quill shaft, an actuator shaft slidably disposed within said quill shaft and connected adjacent its inner end to said pair of block members, said block members being interfitted to present a cylinder, means for moving said actuator shaft, and means responsive to movement of said actuator shaft for moving said pair of block members and said fourth block member in opposite directions longitudinally of said quill shaft whereby the diameter of said cylinder is reduced to permit the removal of a coil of sheet metal therefrom, said last means comprising pinions journalled on said first block member and opposed racks formed as at least one of said pair of block membersand said fourth block member.

6. A reel assembly for coiling sheet metal, comprising an upstanding support, a driven quill shaft journalled in said support and extending horizontally therefrom, a first block member formed on the outer end of said quill shaft, a pair of block members secured on opposite sides of said first block member and slidable thereon longitudinally of the quill shaft, a fourth block member slidably secured to the first block member and movable longitudinally of the quill shaft, the mating surfaces of said pair of block members and said first block member being inclined to the quill shaft and diverging therefrom toward said support, the mating surfaces of said fourth block member and said first block member being inclined to the quill shaft and convergent therewith toward said support, an actuator shaft slidably disposed within said quill shaft and connected adjacent its inner end to said pair of block members, said block members being interfitted to present a cylinder, means for moving said actuator shaft, and means responsive to movement of said actuator shaft for moving said pair of block members and said fourth block member in opposite directions longitudinally of said quill shaft whereby the diameter of said cylinder is reduced to permit the removal of a coil of sheet metal therefrom, said last means comprising pinions journalled on said first block member and opposed racks formed on at least one of said pair of block members and said fourth block member.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first block member is provided with a reduced extension coaxial with said quill shaft, and an outboard bearing member swingable into and out of engagement with said extension.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,570,809 Herman Oct. 9, 1951 2,578,953 Tyrell Dec. 18, 1951 2,598,398 Littell et a1 May 27, 1952 

